Communicating with Our Dogs!
Most dog owners have only dreamt of tapping into Fido’s inner thoughts. Turning dog thoughts into human language has yet to be made possible, and previous studies in the field were based on mere speculation. Studies performed by Eötvös Loránd University concluded that humans utilize acoustic parameters of barks to determine emotions (Pongrácz, Molnár, & Miklósi, 2006). These methods contain numerous discrepancies and inaccuracies in the interpretations; however, it has been the closest method used for understanding our canine companions. To close the gap between dogs and humans, new researches have been taking advantage of existing technology, such as EEG monitors, to read our dog’s thoughts through electric signals transmitted by their brain.
Electroencephalogram (EEG) is a type of existing technology used by numerous neurologists to examine brain activity through impulses sent by neurons while performing different activities. According to the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, electrodes are placed on the scalp to detect and record electronic impulses, which are then printed out on a computer, which are then read to to determine the patient’s consciousness and alertness (Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, 2014). Electronic impulses can provide details on how the brain works as demonstrated in this video from ASAPS, A Sharing Approach to Promoting Science. Numerous studies have utilized EEG to identify memory performances, and to classify neurological disorders (Klimesch, 1999).
Up until now, not a lot of research has been done on closing the gap on communication between canine friends and human beings. However, NSID, or Nordic Society Invention Discovery, funded by Indiegogo aims to to do just that through EEG sensoring, microcomputing, and special BCI software (NSID, 2013). The project, known as No More Woof, has designed EEG monitor devices that can be placed on Fido’s head as shown below to detect neurological impulses that result from different stimulation. The data from the impulses detected are then translated into human language.
The No More Woof Prototype
Studies performed on EEG-based Emotional Recognition have shown that classifying emotional expressions using neural networks has a success rate of approximately 64% (Bos). The prototypes will detect and record impulses on two axes: arousal and valence. Any emotions that can be recorded can be efficiently mapped, and data can be used to determine which emotions our dogs are going through. The prototypes offered by No More Woof are only able to identify 2 – 4 emotions, and more more information can be found in the video below.
(NSID, 2013a)
To get your hands on one of these devices, visit Indiegogo. For just $65 USD, investors can get their hands on one sensor equipped No More Woof device capable of translating 2 – 3 thoughts, and for $600 USD, the device can translate over 4 thoughts. While the initial prototypes are rudimentary, with more data collected, better estimates can be made. Thanks to the power of science, understanding dogs will no longer be a far-fetched dream.
References:
Bos, D. EEG-based emotion recognition
Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC. (2014). What is an EEG and what information does it provide?.
Klimesch, W. (1999). EEG alpha and theta oscillations reflect cognitive and memory performance: A review and analysis. . Brain Research Reviews, 29(2-3), 169-195.
NSID. (2013). The first device to translate animal thoughts into human language. No More Woof,
NSID. (2013). No more woof. Indiegogo,
Pongrácz, P., Molnár, C., & Miklósi, Á. (2006). Acoustic parameters of dog barks carry emotional information for humans [Abstract]. Applied Animal Behaviour Science; Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 100(3) 228-240.
Programme, N. (2013). Hello brain – what makes my brain work?. ASAPS, A Sharing Approach to Promoting Science.,